Johnny Bucyk squares off against Terry Francona in the first round of Boston’s Biggest Sports Legend tournament.
In 1957, the Bruins traded goalie Terry Sawchuck — arguably the best netminder of all time — for winger Johnny Bucyk, who turned out to be one of the best players in Boston Bruins history. “The Chief” might have retired as one of the best players in NHL history, but he led dreadful Bruins teams in the 1960s and was overshadowed by superstars Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Gerry Cheevers in the early 1970s. Despite the lack of talent around him for the greater part of his career, Bucyk still stands as the Bruins’ all-time leader in goals and is second behind Ray Bourque in games (1,436) and assists (1,339). In 21 seasons with the Bruins, the 6-foot, 215-pound, hip-checking fiend potted 20 goals or more 16 times and became the oldest player (35) to reach 50 goals (51) in the 1971-72 season. That year, he registered 65 assists to earn a career-high 116 points. The owner of the No. 9 jersey hanging in the Garden rafters was the alternate captain for both the 1970 and 1972 Stanley Cup winners.
After Grady Little decided to leave Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, it was evident the Red Sox would pursue a new manager prior to the 2004 season. And after 86 years of suffering in Boston, Terry Francona — in his first year at the helm of the franchise — managed the team to its first World Series title since 1918. Francona led the team to another title in 2007, extending the Red Sox’ World Series winning streak to eight straight games with their second sweep of the NL champs in four seasons. Now in his seventh season in Boston, Francona has led the Red Sox to the postseason five times, including once as the AL East division champions. He is just the third manager in Red Sox history to compile 500 wins.
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